The Select Board voted unanimously to extend Town Administrator Robert Dolan’s contract for another year.
“Rob has done an outstanding job and with the turbulent times –– we’ve had with COVID and all the challenges we’ve faced over the last couple of years. I can’t imagine that it could have been handled any better,” said Select Board Chair Philip Crawford. “Rob, thank you, we appreciate it.”
Crawford said the extension includes a base salary of $212,500, up from approximately $194,000. The new contract extends the term from Feb. 1, 2023 through an end date of Jan. 31, 2025. The existing contract ran through Jan. 31, 2024.
Under the original contract (including amendments), the Town Administrator’s annual base salary “may increase in an amount to be determined by the board, on the basis of merit and/or market conditions affecting town administrator salaries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
Crawford said the board conducted a “comprehensive survey of what similar communities are paying their town administrators. Among the towns surveyed were Medfield, Wayland, North Reading and Bedford.
“Many of the communities we looked at are hiring new people due to a variety of reasons, including retirement, so we know what they are paying,” Crawford said. “Some of them frankly are higher yet they don’t hold a candle to Rob, especially during the pandemic.
“But more importantly, he’s done a tremendous job considering all of the major things going on in Lynnfield with the public safety project, the recent school addition and the disruption at Town Hall and with staff being displaced for two years during construction. Our construction management team is excellent, but Rob is the one who has day-to-day management over things like relocating town staff to the Merritt Center, the Pope Richard House, the Meeting House and Senior Center, as well as the renovation of the old library annex in South Lynnfield, as well as arranging the leases for us at the pharmacy. Rob and Bob (Assistant Town Administrator Curtin) have organized the whole thing.”
Crawford said Dolan’s salary is now in the middle range of town administrators’ salaries in similar towns but admitted he (Crawford) is a “little biased as I think we have one of the best town administrators in the state, if not the best and I certainly would like to see him stick around for as long as we can keep him.”
Select Board member Dick Dalton said he agreed with Crawford about the new salary, saying it is a “fair rate” which puts Dolan at a “market rate,” and the board’s decision is the way to retain “good people.” He thanked Crawford for taking the time to conduct the comprehensive study.
Select Board Vice Chair Joe Connell thanked Dolan for his dedication to the town.
“Rob, you’re just a remarkable person. The dedication you have to Lynnfield is unmatched with all our future endeavors coming up here in the next couple of years,” said Connell. “I just can’t thank you enough for how hard you work for this town.”
Dalton said Dolan has made an unbelievable transition from a mayor of a municipality to a town administrator. Dolan served 16 years as the mayor of Melrose before coming to Lynnfield in February 2018. He replaced Curtin, who served as interim town administration following the departure of former Town Administrator James Boudreau.
Dalton said, “If I look back then and had a list of qualities and characteristics I’d want from the person coming in as that town administrator, I’d check off every one of those boxes for Rob.”
Dolan said he appreciated his support team, including the members of the Select Board and Curtin, who has served as Assistant Town Administrator since Dolan’s arrival.
“I have an outstanding team led first and foremost, but one of the smartest and funniest men I’ve ever met –– Bob Curtin ––whom I get credit for many times when it’s actually him,” Dolan said.
Dolan noted that the town’s boards and commissions are “completely” focused on the needs of taxpayers and their families and children “Regardless of politics or trends. For many years I was sitting in your seat as an elected official and the town’s boards and commissions are why I love coming to work everyday. It’s an absolute pleasure.”
“It’s my pleasure to continue being a part of this community,” Dolan said. “The people of Lynnfield are so engaged both in groups and individually. We have really exciting things coming and I look forward to being part of this community for many, many years if that’s the will of the board.”
